file: /pub/resources/text/ProLife.News: pln-0413.txt
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Life Communications - Volume 4, No. 13 August, 1994
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This newsletter is intended to provide articles and news information to those
interested in Pro-Life issues. All submissions should be sent to the editor,
Steve .
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1) The New World: UNITED STATES
*Abortions Down in America, and abortion proponents complain*
The report from the non-profit (and adamantly pro-abortion) Alan Guttmacher
Institute said 1.529 million women had abortions in 1992, 80,000 fewer than in
1990. This represents a 5% drop in the number of abortions performed in the
United States. The 1992 level, based on a 1993 survey of abortion providers, is
the lowest since 1979, when just under 1.5 million abortions were performed in
the United States. This still leaves American women with the highest abortion
rate in among the developed nations. Of all the states, New York had the
highest abortion rate, with 46.2 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44, followed
by Hawaii, Nevada and California.
Abortion proponents picked up on this statistic, and used it to claim that
abortions are down because they are less available. The Guttmacher study went
on to blame the drop in abortions on the drop in the number of abortion
facilities in different places in the US, noting that states with large rural
populations - Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee,
Utah and Wyoming - all lost between 20 percent and 40 percent of their
abortuaries from 1988 to 1992. The study also made a point of mentioning that
North Dakota lost two of its three abortuaries, joining South Dakota as a state
with only one place where women can get abortions. Economic factors that favor
larger and/or subsidized clinics were not mentioned.
However, there are many other factors which could attribute for the decrease in
abortions, such as the gradual aging of large segments of the U.S. female
population. Stanley Henshaw, one of the Guttmacher study's authors, mentioned
this fact, noting that the resulting lower fertility would result in fewer
abortions. In a similar vein, a study by the New York-based non-profit
Corporation for Reproductive Health Research and Analysis presented evidence
that there has been an improvement in the use of contraceptives in the US -
which certainly would help to push the abortion rate down.
The emphasis that the Guttmacher study and the press coverage received all
seems to be on the drop in the number of abortion providers, not the reduction
in abortions. The points being emphasized make it sound as if a drop in the
number of abortions is a bad thing, and something that needs to be corrected,
especially by further protection of the abortion industry.
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2) Around the Globe: BELGIUM, the UN and the PRC
*Chineese Women To Serve as Guinea Pigs for New Belgian IUD*
The World Health Organization (WHO), thrilled by the invention of an Intra-
Uterine Device (IUD) with a lower complication rate, invited Belgian Ghent
University Professor Hendrik Van Kets to take his new device to China for
testing. In a not-surprising move, these western researchers have received the
go-ahead to use women in China to verify their tests on a large scale. Van
Kets happens to sit on the WHO steering committee on contraception.
"They will try to convince people to use it on a large scale, to confirm the
results of our tests," said Professor Walter Parewijck, a member of the Ghent
research team involved in developing the new abortifacient device.Parewijck
added that the tests in China would last at least one year. The PRC is known
for its draconian family policies, particularly of forcing women to have
abortions and undergo sterilization.
"This IUD is frameless and smaller - it causes less pain and bleeding... and is
more effective (against pregnancy)," said Parewijck. The new frameless IUD
consists of a surgical propylene filament covered with copper sleeves and with
a knot at one end which is anchored into the top of the uterus by a
gynecologist. Parewijck said that "Because there's no frame in this [IUD], the
complication rate from pain and bleeding is much less."
After five years of tests, The new abortifacient device, called the Gyne Fix
was found to have a removal rate of 3.6 percent , almost half that recorded in
conventional IUDs. Removal is done when the device causes pain and bleeding.
In the Belgian tests, Gyne Fix has shown a pregnancy rate of 0.8 percent and a
physical expulsion rate of 0.3 percent, much better results than with current
IUDs. IUD's operate not by preventing conception, but rather by preventing the
developing child from implanting in the uterine wall, thus causing the death
and expulsion of the child. It has been noted that of women worldwide who use
artificial birth-control, 5 to 10 percent rely on IUDs.
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3) The New World: THE LOUISIANA STANDOFF
*Louisiana threatened with loss of $4 Billion in Medicaid*
On Wednesday, 17 August, Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia denied an
emergency request by Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and other state officials
to lift a lower court order that requires the state to pay for abortions for
victims of rape and incest, or give up four billion dollars in Federal
Medicaid. Louisiana state law prohibits the use of tax money to buy abortions
other than in the case where the mother's life is threatened. Essentially, the
federal courts are forcing Louisiana to do one of two things: Either pay for
abortions against its own law, or to shut down its medical assistance to the
poor, due to the withdrawl of federal funding. Four other states - Arkansas,
Colorado, Montana and Michigan - also are under similar court orders to follow
Clintons new Medicaid rules.
The controversy being played out in Louisiana stems from the October passage of
the Hyde Amendment, and President Clinton's executive order which followed.
The federal Hyde Amendment similarly banned the use of federal money for
abortions except to save a woman's life until last October, when Congress
amended the law to include cases of rape and incest. In May, after President
Clinton issued and executive order compelling the States to pay for abortions
permitted by the Hyde Amendment, the Clinton administration warned a number of
states they could lose their Medicaid funding if they did not comply.
Louisiana's policy was promptly challenged by the Hope Medical Group for Women,
which provides abortions in Shreveport, Louisiana. An abortionist and a
low-income woman who became pregnant as a result of rape and sought a
Medicaid-financed abortion. U.S. District Judge Marcel Livaudais in New
Orleans heard this case, and on July 28th ruled that Louisiana must follow the
federal rule as long as it accepts federal Medicaid funds. The case is Edwards
vs. Hope Medical Group for Women, A-124.
"The Hyde Amendment merely limits the use of federal funds to pay for certain
abortions; it clearly does not require the states to pay for any abortions,"
Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub wrote. It seems that no federal
officials seem to belive this.
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4) The New World: MONTREAL
*Canadian Doctors want Nothing to do with Euthanasia*
Canadian doctors meeting in Montreal, Quebec, have taken a strong position
against euthanasia. At the Canadian Medical Association's annual convention on
August 16, delegates ignored a draft paper from their own ethics committee
recommending that doctors act according to their individual consciences.
Instead, they voted 93-74 in favour of a much stronger resolution that doctors
"specifically exclude participation in euthanasia and physician-assisted
suicide."
West Vancouver, British Columbia doctor Daniel McCarthy who proposed the
resolution, said its success will provide clear guidelines for lawmakers and
the general public. "The public need not have fears that physicians are going
to get sucked into euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide," McCarthy said,
"and the legislators cannot proceed with granting it or legalizing it under the
assumption that physicians will participate....the healers of Canada... should
not be represented as the killers of Canada."
Ontario Medical Association health policy director Dr. Ted Broadway was
disappointed with the vote, arguing that the decision to end a life should rest
with the doctor and his patient. And ethics committee chairman Dr. Douglas
Sawyer argues that even though doctors have voted against euthanasia, the issue
will not go away. But Quebec Corporation of Physicians president Dr. Augustin
Roy was pleased with the vote. He said euthanasia should not be legalized,
because "it is not the role of physicians. We're there to help relieve their
pain, but never to kill them.... my patients must know that when they see me
coming down the hall... [it's] to provide care and not make the last visit to
see them." Protesters outside the meeting agreed with the doctors' decision.
They carried placards saying "No to Medical Killing" and "Doctors are for
Healing, not Killing."
CMA president Richard Kennedy says there is no question the vote will have an
effect on lawmakers and politicians. The issue has been a divisive one in
Canada, acerbated by terminally ill British Columbian woman Sue Rodriguez'
highly publicized effort to have a doctor end her life. In September 1993, the
Canadian Supreme Court voted 5-4 against doctor-assisted suicide.
- Julian Smith
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5) Survey Says... YOUTH SUPPORT LIFE
Gallop Youth Surveys indicates that though teens appear to be evenly divided
about whether they favor abortion, the vast majority of these same young people
do not approve of abortion. The analysis states: "When it comes to approval,
the numbers drop even more. While some teens favor abortion rights in the
abstract, many of them do not favor abortion itself." Also, statistics indicate
that the youth felt that when a teenage girl 16 or under becomes pregnant, 59%
rated abortion as a "poor" option while only 4% rate it as an excellent option.
The survey gave strong credence to the case that educational activities, such
as those conducted by ACL and other pro-life groups, can really have an impact
on producing pro-life indiviuals.
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6) Late Submission: Peaceful Picket of Milwaukee Abortionist
Approximately 150 abortion protestors gathered during a torrential downpour for
a one-hour picket outside the home of Milwaukee abortionist Paul Seamars
located at 1053 Waterville Road in Oconomowoc, MI. The Town of Summit Police
Chief James Race said the event went "smoothly." Over 11 officers from
surrounding communities set up a police line around Seamars' property and a
command center of at least 6 police and fire vehicles was positioned nearby in
a location unobservable by the protestors.
The Aug. 18 event was sponsored by Missionaries to the Preborn. "We are here
to tell the neighbors of Paul Seamars what he does for a living and that is
kill innocent boys and girls," stated MTP spokesperson Jane Schmidt. The only
incident at the event was a strange one: one arrest, with no charges: Robert
Braun, of West Allis, was arrested for carrying a picket sign with a stick,
according to a witnesses. He was detained in jail until 12:00 PM the following
day and then was released without being charged. Braun claims the police were
unable to cite an ordinance or law that warranted his arrest or that prohibited
his sign.
Future pickets, sponsored by Citizens For Life, are planned for Sept. 7 and 8
outside of Planned Parenthood located at 302 North Jackson Street in Milwaukee.
For more information on these events or how to participate, contact Tim Ruchti
<74002.3147@compuserve.com>.
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7) What Works: Explain the Ads...
One of the most devastating ads against the pro choice position is the new AT&T
add showing an expectant mother putting the telephone to her womb so her
husband can hear the baby. In the background, we see a sonongram of the fetus
moving around and kicking. He looks human and acts human, therefore he should
be provided with full protection of the law.
There's also the case of what happens during an abortion. The child is forcibly
dismembered. I wish a sharp lawyer would make a case that abortion is
tantamount to a botched birth resulting in death. People get very queasy when
faced with the particulars of what actually happens during an abortion.
- Lou Nunez
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8) Announcements
"Mercy killing. Doctor-assisted suicide. The right to die." Euthanasia
proponents promote death as the answer to suffering and want doctors to have
the freedom to 'help' patients die. Beginning Sept. 5, joing 'Family News in
Focus' for a powerful series of reports on *Euthanasia: The Right to Die or the
Right to Kill?* "Family News in Focus" is carried on many Christian radio
stations nationwide.
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9) New On-Line Resources:
There have been a few recent additions to our archives:
"FACE - Some Responses" Conservative and Liberal opinions opposing the passage
of the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) law. Contains lots of good
quotes. Includes the ACLU's response on the constitutionality of FACE.
[ Ask for "FACEResponses" ]
"Better Dead than Fed?" This NR article gives the story of Michael Martin, a
brain-damaged 51 year old man who is the center of a legal controversy over
the use of feeding tubes. Though able to respond, the courts have declared
Martin mentally incompetent, and sided with his wife and her request to have
his feeding tube removed. [ Ask for "DeadThanFed.nr" ]
"Comparison of medical abortion with surgical vacuum aspiration" Scottish
Medical Researchers' comparison of women's preference for surgical vs.
chemical abortive methods. Includes some interesting references on the
frequency of abortions in the UK, particulalry that only one-third of
abortions are in the first nine weeks, at least in England. [ Ask for
"BrMedJournal.sept93"]
"The Media List" This is a current list of email addresses for common Radio,
Newspaper and other media contacts in the United States. Very useful for
sending press releases and letters to editors. [ Ask for "MediaEmailList" ]
"The College Right-to-Life Handbook" The 1985 edition of the College
Right-to-life Handbook. This book is a practical guide and a handy resource
for anyone trying to start a pro-life group on a college campus, written by a
college pro-lifer who has helped dozens of college right-to-life groups get
started. Some of the resources in the appendix are a bit dated. In four files.
[ Ask for "Intro+TOC.CRTLM", "Section1.CRTLM", "Section2.CRTLM", and
"Appencicies.CRTLM" ] This is also available as a single, 145-pp Postscript
file, suitable for printing [Ask for "CollegeRTLMan.ps"].
"Now's the time to defend our borders" Discusses the importation of RU 486
into the US and the targets for a nationwide boycott of involved drug
companies. Includes a list of products to boycott as well as a list of
addresses of the CEOs of these drug companies to write letters to explaining
you are participating in a boycott. [ Ask for "RU486boycott.fof" ]
"An open letter to President Clinton, Population Enrichment vs. Population
Control" This letter (actually a full page paid advertisement in the _New York
Times_) advises against the current position of the US with respect to the
Cairo conference. Among the many noteable signers are Michael Novak, Gov. Bob
Casey, Ralph Reed, Bowie Kuhn, and Sargent Shriver. [Ask for "OpenLetter.nyt"]
To request any of the above items, please send a list of items by title to the
editor, eg.: "Please send v4n7, BethanyHotline, ItsTooLate" To request
a copy of the list of available resources, please ask for "v4Topics".
These and other on-Line resources are also available via the World Wide Web at
URL "http://www.pitt.edu/~stfst/pln/AboutPLN.html, or via anonymous from
or in the directory
"/afs/pitt.edu/public/users/s/t/stfst/pln".
Comming Soon: _The College Right-to-Life Handbook_!!
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10) Reader Comments
*ProLife Bands*
Dear Steve and fellow prolife netsurfers:
I'm a new subscriber to the expanded list (I'm an Internet ProLife Journal
holdover) and I'm really excited to be a part of this group. I'm sure many of
you have heard through various media outlets about pro-abortion and AIDS
benefit concerts and albums (Rock for Choice, etc.), but little or nothing
about pro-life benefit projects of the same kind. Until a week ago, I wasn't
sure they even existed, but THEY DO.
Last weekend I talked to a few exhibitors at the "Summer Praise '94" festival
in Burbank, CA and discovered that there are indeed a few groups that get
together to put on "Rock for Life" concerts. There is even a group that sets
up an information booth at the Lollapalooza festivals every year.
The prolife movement really seems to have taken a beating lately, but we have a
tremendous opportunity to help girls and women in crisis pregnancies and their
unborn children by raising money for crisis pregnancy centers and generating
POSITIVE publicity through these kinds of fundraisers and benefit concerts.
Here in California (and elsewhere), the "Walk for Life" is quickly becoming an
annual tradition, and we can begin to expand on this idea through "Rock for
Life" and "Dance for Life" projects. In order to do this, we need to forge an
alliance among prolife organizations, prolife artists in the music industry,
and their fans (yours truly included).
If anyone out there is interested in becoming involved in this facet of the
prolife movement, or if you have information or experience in this sort of
thing, please contact me. I'm not part of an organization or company, but I
would very much like to be (recent college graduate). I'm especially interested
in working with locals (Southern California).
- Brenda McCormick
Tujunga, CA
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Quote of the Month:
"We shouldn't advertise something we know to be a poison and
a killer."
- Dr. Joycelyn Elders, US Surgeon general who opposes
tobacco advertisements but supports government-sponsored
condom ads and the importation of RU-486.
_USA Today_, Feb 25, 1994
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| Credits: |
| 4 - Sources are the Toronto newspapers for Aug. 17, 1994. |
| 5 - American Collegians for Life Info Bulletin V1 N6, August 11, 1994. |
| Many thanks to reader Steve Ertelt, ACL Newsletter Editor. |
| 6 - From _The Christian Interpreter_ press release dated Tue., August 23, |
| 1994. P.O. Box 25318 Milwaukee, WI 53225 FAX:(414) 255-0220 VOICE: |
| (414) 442-1120 Many thanks to reader Tim Ruchti. |
| 8 - Euthanasia Radio Special via Landon Cox and "The Focus On The Family |
| List" . |
|QOM - Many thanks to reader Eric Ewanco. |
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Anyone desiring information on specific prolife groups, literature, or help
with problems is encouraged to contact the editor.
For those on the web, there is a preliminary WWW page available at URL